Search Maricopa County Deed Records

Maricopa County is home to over 4.5 million people across the Phoenix metro area. The Maricopa County Recorder maintains deed records for all property in the county. The main office sits in downtown Phoenix at 111 South Third Avenue. Staff handle thousands of deeds, mortgages, and liens each month. The office has been recording documents since 1871. You can search the entire database online for free. Records include images of the actual documents. Anyone can access these records any time of day. The Recorder's office does not give legal advice about deeds or property matters in Maricopa County.

Maricopa County Recorder Office

The Recorder's office operates from the main county building in Phoenix. The address is 111 South Third Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85003. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The office closes for federal holidays. Phone support is available at (602) 506-3535 during business hours. Staff can answer questions about how to search records or submit documents for recording in Maricopa County.

The Recorder handles more than just deeds. The office also records mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, releases, and other instruments that affect real property. Plat maps and surveys get recorded here too. Military discharge papers can be recorded for safekeeping. Each document receives a unique recording number and timestamp when it arrives. This creates a permanent public record of when the document was filed in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Stephen Richer currently serves as Maricopa County Recorder. The position is elected county-wide for a four-year term. The Recorder's office employs dozens of staff members to handle the volume of documents. The office processes both in-person filings and electronic submissions. Most title companies and law firms now use e-recording systems to submit deeds and mortgages electronically in Maricopa County.

Search Maricopa Deed Records Online

The online search portal at recorder.maricopa.gov offers free access to all recorded documents. The database covers 1871 to the present. You can search by name, date, document type, or recording number. The system returns a list of matching documents. Click any result to see the full document image. Most images are clear scans or digital files that you can read on screen.

The search tool has several options. You can search by grantor name to find all deeds where someone sold property. Or search by grantee name to see all deeds where someone bought property. Date ranges help narrow results if a name is common. Document type filters let you see only deeds, only mortgages, or other specific instruments. The system is fast and usually returns results in seconds for searches in Maricopa County.

Search results do not guarantee clear title. The online system shows what has been recorded but does not analyze the legal effect. You may need a title company or attorney to review the full chain of title for a property. The Recorder's office cannot tell you if a property has clear title. That requires legal expertise beyond what the Recorder staff can provide in Maricopa County.

Note: The online search is not a substitute for a professional title search or legal advice.

How to Record Deeds in Maricopa County

You can record a deed in person or electronically. For in-person filing, bring your deed to the Recorder's office at 111 South Third Avenue in Phoenix during business hours. Make sure the deed meets all format requirements. The first page needs a two-inch top margin. All text must be at least 10-point font. Signatures must be notarized. The document must be on white or near-white paper in standard sizes.

The recording fee is $30 per document as set by state law. You must also submit an Affidavit of Property Value with any deed that transfers ownership. The Affidavit form is available from the Recorder's office or online. Maricopa County accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for payment. There may be a small surcharge for card payments. Staff will stamp your deed with the date and time of recording, then return a recorded copy to you or mail it to the address you provide.

E-recording is faster and more common now. Maricopa County works with approved vendors that include Simplifile, CSC, and others. Your title company or attorney usually handles e-recording for you. The system uploads your document, checks for basic errors, and submits it electronically. You get a confirmation email right away. The recorded document with the official stamp comes back electronically within hours in most cases in Maricopa County.

Maricopa Title Alert Service

Maricopa County offers a free Title Alert service. This helps protect property owners from fraud. You register your property address with the system at recorder.maricopa.gov/maricopatitlealert. The service sends you an email whenever a document affecting your property gets recorded. This includes deeds, mortgages, liens, and similar instruments.

Title Alert does not stop fraud from happening. It simply notifies you when something is recorded. If you get an alert for a document you did not authorize, contact the Recorder's office and local law enforcement right away. You may need an attorney to file legal action to clear your title. But catching fraud early makes it easier to fix in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Common Questions About Maricopa Deeds

Does the Recorder provide notary services? No. The Maricopa County Recorder's office does not offer notary services. You must get your deed notarized before bringing it to the office. Banks, UPS stores, and many businesses offer notary services for a small fee in the Phoenix area.

Can the Recorder give legal advice? No. Staff cannot tell you which type of deed to use or how to fill out forms. They cannot advise on title issues or property disputes. Contact an attorney or title company for legal help with deeds in Maricopa County.

How long does recording take? In-person recordings are processed the same day if submitted before the office closes. E-recordings usually process within a few hours. During peak times it may take longer, but most deeds are in the system within one business day in Maricopa County.

Can I get a certified copy? Yes. Certified copies cost $1 per page plus a $3 fee for the official seal. You must request certified copies in person or by mail. The online system provides unofficial copies only that are free to view and print in Maricopa County.

Major Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County includes most of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Property owners in these cities record deeds at the Maricopa County Recorder office.

Nearby Counties

Property in other counties requires recording at that county's Recorder office.